by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Planning Commission’s Below Market Rate Housing Review Subcommittee met Tuesday, December 10. The Subcommittee members are: Planning Commissioners Eric Pfeifer (chair), Paul Nichols, Erika Steiner, and Lyman Welch. Commissioners Roger Grogman and Kate Sergeant were absent.
Community Housing & Resources Executive Director Nicole McHale presented the organization’s five-year plan, which consists of five focus areas:
Focus 1: Residents and Their Welfare
Focus 2: Community Relations and Volunteers
Focus 3: Expansion and Capacity
Focus 4: Leadership, Staffing, and Committees
Focus 5: Funding, Financing, and Systems
McHale reported that CHR has already met 50 percent of the goals laid out in the five-year plan, which runs through 2028.
CHR’s mission is to provide affordable housing and resources for families and individuals who serve and have served Sanibel and Captiva Islands, while maintaining the economic diversity that contributes to the extraordinary culture and continued well-being of the community. McHale presented vignettes featuring residents of CHR with their success stories and gratitude to CHR.
The organization’s goal is to have 100 affordable apartments (McHale stressed not to call them “units”). Today there are 65 in nine Sanibel locations. Eleven apartments were lost to Hurricane Ian. A new campus behind 7-Eleven on Periwinkle Way, called Riverview, with 15 one-bedroom-one-bath apartments, will be a big step toward that goal. The cost is expected to be $7 million according to CHR’s Annual Report, and permitting is expected to take place in January.
To be eligible for CHR housing, a person must work at least 35 hours a week at a Sanibel-located business or Sanibel-based business on Captiva or be an older adult of the island communities. Rent is based on 30 percent of a household’s annual income. The average rent is $716 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, $1,126 for a two-bedroom, and $1,370 for a three-bedroom. The average income of CHR residents is $41,396. There also are 10 limited-equity ownership properties. McHale stated that 35 percent of residents don’t own a vehicle, and CHR strives to provide them with bicycles or scooters.
Frank Wells of Bright Community Trust, which started a housing needs analysis last year, was unable to attend the meeting but will be at the Planning Commission’s January 28 meeting.
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